Active SLED Opportunity · NEW MEXICO · CITY OF SANTA FE, NM

    Santa Fe Regional Airport, Rates and Charges Study for Airline and Non-Aeronautical Fees

    Issued by City of Santa Fe, NM
    cityRFPCity of Santa Fe, NMSol. 289990
    Open · 2d remaining
    DAYS TO CLOSE
    2
    due Aug 7, 2026
    PUBLISHED
    Aug 4, 2026
    Posting date
    JURISDICTION
    City of
    city
    NAICS CODE
    541611
    AI-classified industry

    AI Summary

    The City of Santa Fe seeks a consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive Rates and Charges Study for Santa Fe Regional Airport, analyzing aeronautical and non-aeronautical fees to ensure financial sustainability, FAA compliance, and market competitiveness.

    Opportunity details

    Solicitation No.
    289990
    Type / RFx
    RFP
    Status
    open
    Level
    city
    Published Date
    August 4, 2026
    Due Date
    August 7, 2026
    NAICS Code
    541611AI guide
    Agency
    City of Santa Fe, NM

    Description

    An Airport Rates and Fee Study is essential to ensure that the airport's financial structure remains equitable, transparent, legally defensible, and aligned with industry best practices. As operating costs, capital improvement requirements, regulatory obligations, and market conditions continue to evolve, periodic evaluation of airline and non-aeronautical rates and charges is necessary to maintain the airport's long-term financial sustainability while supporting operational excellence and economic competitiveness.

    The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the airport's existing rate-setting methodologies for both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue sources. Aeronautical fees—including landing fees, terminal rentals, apron charges, fuel flowage fees, aircraft parking, and other airline-related charges—must accurately recover allowable costs while remaining consistent with applicable grant assurances, lease agreements, and accepted airport financial management principles. The analysis will evaluate cost allocation methodologies, identify opportunities to improve cost recovery, and ensure that rates are reasonable, equitable, and non-discriminatory.

    In addition, the study will evaluate non-aeronautical revenue opportunities, including commercial leases, rental car concessions, parking, advertising, ground transportation permits, fixed-base operator (FBO) agreements, hangar rentals, land leases, utilities, and other commercial activities. These revenue streams play an increasingly important role in diversifying airport income, reducing reliance on airline fees, and strengthening the airport's overall financial position. The assessment will compare existing fees with regional and national airport benchmarks to determine whether current charges reflect prevailing market conditions and maximize revenue potential without discouraging commercial activity.

    The study will also assess the financial impacts of current and projected capital improvement programs, debt service obligations, operating expenses, passenger activity, aircraft operations, and future development plans. By developing financial forecasts and alternative rate scenarios, the airport will be better positioned to support informed decision-making, negotiate future airline agreements, establish sustainable user fees, and maintain compliance with federal requirements and accepted aviation industry practices.

    Ultimately, completion of a comprehensive Rates and Fee Study will provide airport management and governing authorities with a data-driven framework for establishing fair, transparent, and financially sustainable rates and charges. The resulting recommendations will enhance fiscal responsibility, improve revenue stability, support long-term strategic planning, and ensure the airport remains competitive while continuing to provide safe, efficient, and high-quality facilities and services for airlines, tenants, passengers, and the surrounding community.

    Project Details

    • Department: Airport
    • Department Head: Jimmy Gunn (Airport Director)

    Addenda

    • Addendum #1 (released 2026-08-04T19:23:14.050Z) —

      Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Important Instructions for Electronic Submittals

      The Santa Fe Regional Airport is accepting electronic bid submissions. Bidders shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Draft Response", and follow the instructions to submit the electronic bid.

    • Scope of Work

      1. Project Overview: The Airport seeks the services of a qualified aviation financial consulting firm to perform a comprehensive Rates and Fee Study to evaluate the Airport's current aeronautical and non-aeronautical rates, fees, rentals, charges, and revenue-generating practices. The study shall provide recommendations that establish equitable, transparent, legally defensible, and financially sustainable rates while ensuring compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies, airport grant assurances, airline use agreements, and recognized airport industry standards.The consultant shall evaluate the Airport's existing rate-setting methodology, identify opportunities to improve cost recovery and revenue generation, develop financial forecasts, and provide implementation strategies for future rate adjustments.

      2. Project Objectives

      The consultant shall:

      • Evaluate the Airport's current financial structure and cost recovery practices.
      • Review all airline and tenant agreements affecting rates and charges.
      • Analyze existing aeronautical and non-aeronautical fee structures.
      • Ensure compliance with FAA grant assurances and federal revenue-use requirements.
      • Benchmark the Airport's rates against comparable airports.
      • Develop equitable cost allocation methodologies.
      • Maximize revenue while maintaining market competitiveness.
      • Provide long-term financial planning tools for Airport management.
      • Develop recommendations supporting future capital improvements and operational growth.

      3. Scope of Services Task 1 – Project Initiation

      The consultant shall:

      • Conduct a project kickoff meeting.
      • Establish project schedule.
      • Identify key stakeholders.
      • Confirm project objectives.
      • Develop communication protocols.
      • Prepare a detailed work plan.
      • Identify required data and documentation.

      Deliverables:

      • Project Management Plan
      • Schedule
      • Data Request Checklist
      • Meeting Minutes

      Task 2 – Existing Financial Review

      Review and evaluate:

      • Operating budgets
      • Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
      • Enterprise Fund
      • Historical financial statements
      • Revenue sources
      • Expense allocations
      • Debt obligations
      • Bond covenants
      • Reserve policies
      • Cash flow
      • Cost centers

      The consultant shall determine whether current revenues adequately recover operating and capital costs.

      Deliverables:

      • Financial Assessment Memorandum
      • Revenue Sufficiency Analysis

      Task 3 – Review of Existing Agreements

      Review all documents affecting Airport rates including:

      Airline Agreements

      • Signatory Airline Agreements
      • Operating Permits
      • Landing Rights
      • Terminal Use Agreements
      • Gate Use Agreements

      Commercial Agreements

      • Fixed Base Operator (FBO) leases
      • Fuel flowage agreements
      • Rental Car Concession Agreements
      • Parking Management Contracts
      • Advertising Agreements
      • Ground Transportation Permits
      • Cargo Leases
      • Hangar Leases
      • Land Leases
      • Commercial Development Agreements
      • Utility Agreements

      Evaluate:

      • Rate methodologies
      • Escalation clauses
      • Cost recovery provisions
      • Revenue sharing
      • Minimum annual guarantees
      • Expiration dates
      • Compliance risks

      Deliverables:

      • Agreement Assessment Report

      Task 4 – Aeronautical Rates and Charges Analysis

      Evaluate all aeronautical fees including:

      • Landing Fees
      • Terminal Rentals
      • Apron Charges
      • Aircraft Parking
      • Gate Rentals
      • Hangar Rentals
      • Fuel Flowage Fees
      • Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) impacts
      • Common Use Fees
      • Deicing Areas
      • Security Cost Recovery
      • Airfield Access Fees

      The consultant shall evaluate:

      • Residual methodology
      • Compensatory methodology
      • Hybrid methodologies
      • Cost allocation practices
      • Airfield cost centers
      • Terminal cost centers
      • Debt service allocation
      • Capital recovery
      • Rate base calculations

      Deliverables:

      • Aeronautical Rate Analysis
      • Recommended Rate Methodology

      Task 5 – Non-Aeronautical Revenue Analysis

      Evaluate all commercial revenue sources including:

      • Commercial Leases
      • Retail
      • Food and Beverage
      • Rental Cars
      • Advertising
      • Parking
      • Ground Transportation
      • Ride Share Operations
      • Taxi Permits
      • Shuttle Permits
      • Hotel Courtesy Vehicles
      • FBO Operations
      • Cargo Operations
      • Land Leases
      • Cell Tower Leases
      • Solar Agreements
      • Utility Easements
      • Hangars
      • Business Parks

      General Aviation Services

      The consultant shall evaluate:

      • Market rates
      • Revenue potential
      • Lease structures
      • Minimum guarantees
      • Percentage rent
      • Cost recovery
      • Competitive positioning
      • Future revenue opportunities

      Deliverables:

      • Commercial Revenue Assessment

      Task 6 – Benchmarking Analysis

      Benchmark the Airport against peer airports with similar:

      • Passenger volumes
      • Airline service
      • Geographic location
      • Hub classification
      • Operating budgets
      • General Aviation activity

      Compare:

      • Landing fees
      • Terminal rentals
      • Parking rates
      • Rental car fees
      • Fuel flowage fees
      • FBO lease rates
      • Hangar rentals
      • Commercial lease rates
      • Concession structures

      Deliverables:

      • Benchmarking Report

      Task 7 – Cost Allocation Analysis

      Develop defensible cost allocation methodologies for:

      • Airfield
      • Terminal
      • Landside
      • General Aviation
      • Commercial Operations
      • Common Areas
      • Administrative Services
      • Utilities
      • Security
      • Maintenance
      • Debt Service
      • Capital Costs

      The consultant shall prepare allocation models supporting future annual rate calculations.

      Deliverables:

      • Cost Allocation Model

      Task 8 – Financial Forecasting

      Prepare 10-year financial forecasts incorporating:

      • Passenger Growth
      • Aircraft Operations
      • Inflation
      • Operating Expenses
      • Capital Improvements
      • Debt Service
      • Airline Activity
      • Commercial Growth
      • Revenue Projections
      • Expense Projections
      • Cash Flow
      • Reserve Requirements

      Develop multiple financial scenarios.

      Deliverables:

      • Financial Forecast Model

      Task 9 – Rate Development

      Develop recommended:

      • Landing Fees
      • Terminal Rental Rates
      • Hangar Rates
      • Fuel Flowage Fees
      • Parking Rates
      • Rental Car Fees
      • Commercial Lease Rates
      • Ground Transportation Fees
      • Advertising Rates
      • Land Lease Rates
      • Cargo Fees
      • Permit Fees
      • Administrative Fees
      • Annual Escalation Methodology

      Deliverables:

      • Proposed Rate Schedule

      Task 10 – FAA Compliance Review

      Verify compliance with:

      • FAA Grant Assurances
      • FAA Revenue Use Policy
      • FAA Order 5190.6B
      • Airport Improvement Program (AIP) requirements
      • Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) requirements
      • Airport revenue diversion regulations
      • Federal cost recovery principles

      Identify any compliance deficiencies and recommend corrective actions.

      Deliverables:

      • FAA Compliance Assessment

      Task 11 – Stakeholder Coordination

      Facilitate meetings with:

      • Airport Management
      • Airport Finance
      • Governing Board
      • Airlines
      • Fixed Base Operators
      • Rental Car Companies
      • Commercial Tenants
      • Airport Advisory Committee
      • Local Government

      Deliverables:

      • Meeting Agendas
      • Presentation Materials
      • Meeting Summaries

      Task 12 – Final Report

      Prepare a comprehensive report including:

      • Executive Summary
      • Existing Conditions
      • Financial Assessment
      • Revenue Analysis
      • Cost Allocation Methodology
      • Benchmarking Results
      • Financial Forecasts
      • Recommended Rates
      • FAA Compliance Review
      • Implementation Strategy
      • Five- and Ten-Year Financial Outlook
      • Supporting Calculations
      • Electronic Financial Models

      Deliverables:

      • Draft Report
      • Final Report
      • Executive Presentation
      • Excel Financial Models
      • GIS/Supporting Data (if applicable)

      4. Consultant Qualifications

      The consultant shall demonstrate:

      • Minimum ten (10) years of airport financial consulting experience.
      • Experience preparing airport rates and fee studies for commercial service airports.
      • Knowledge of FAA grant assurances, revenue-use policies, and airport financial regulations.
      • Experience with airline lease and operating agreement negotiations.
      • Expertise in airport cost allocation methodologies.
      • Experience benchmarking airport rates and charges.
      • Familiarity with FAA Advisory Circulars, Orders, and airport funding programs.
      • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.), Certified Member (C.M.), or similarly qualified aviation finance professionals on the project team.

      5. Estimated Project Schedule

      • Notice to Proceed: Week 0
      • Kickoff Meeting: Week 2
      • Data Collection: Weeks 2–6
      • Financial and Agreement Review: Weeks 6–10
      • Benchmarking and Cost Allocation: Weeks 10–14
      • Draft Recommendations: Weeks 14–18
      • Stakeholder Review: Weeks 18–20
      • Final Report: Weeks 20–24

      6. Expected Deliverables

      The consultant shall provide:

      • Project Management Plan
      • Data Collection Matrix
      • Existing Conditions Assessment
      • Financial Analysis Report
      • Agreement Review Memorandum
      • Benchmarking Report
      • Cost Allocation Model
      • Ten-Year Financial Forecast
      • Proposed Rates and Charges Schedule
      • FAA Compliance Assessment
      • Draft Final Report
      • Final Report
      • Executive Presentation
      • Fully editable Excel financial models
      • Electronic copies of all reports in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PDF formats
    • Award

      The City reserves the right to make an award in the manner deemed most advantageous to the City and in the public interest. Specifically, the City may:

      • Award to one or more vendors;

      • Award based on quotes as submitted;

      • Award portions of one or more quotes;

      • Select items or services from multiple quotes to create a combined award;

      • Clarify or confirm elements of a quote prior to award;

      • Reject any or all quotes;

      • Cancel or re-issue all or portions of this request if it is in the City’s best interest to do so;

      • Make no award under this request for quotes.

      Award will be made to the responsible vendor(s) whose quote(s) are determined to be the most advantageous to the City, considering price, responsiveness, and compliance with the any requirements. The lowest-priced quote may not necessarily result in an award.

      Vendors shall not commence work until a Purchase Order is issued by the City.

    Submission Requirements

    • Separate Cost Proposal (required)

      Confirm that your fee proposal is not attached in your Proposal and is attached separately here.

    • I certify that I have read, understood and agree to the terms in this solicitation, and that I am authorized to submit this response on behalf of my company. (required)
    • Respondent Submittal

      Please Upload your COMPLETE response, including any and all required forms listed in the solicitation and the corresponding attachments

    • Pricing (required)
      • Choose Option 1 when you have set line items, for example:
        • This is a quote for goods or commodities.
        • This is a public works bid, with a pricing table that can be uploaded into OpenGov Procurement from an Excel spreadsheet.
        • Seeking services for hourly rate schedules.
      • Choose Option 2 when you need vendors to provide you with the line items. 

    Key dates

    1. August 4, 2026Published
    2. August 7, 2026Responses Due

    AI classification tags

    Frequently asked questions

    SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.

    SamSearch Platform

    Stop searching. Start winning.

    AI-powered intelligence for the right opportunities, the right leads, and the right time.